# MCP Memory - Deployment Options Comparison
Comprehensive comparison of deployment methods for MCP Memory TypeScript.
## Overview
MCP Memory now supports **three deployment modes**:
1. **MCP Server** (Claude Desktop Integration)
2. **REST API Server** (Headless API)
3. **Next.js Web Interface** (Full Web App) - **NEW**
## Feature Comparison
| Feature | MCP Server | REST API | Web Interface |
|---------|-----------|----------|---------------|
| **Access Method** | Claude Desktop | HTTP API | Web Browser |
| **Authentication** | API Key | API Key/OAuth | OAuth (Google) |
| **User Interface** | Chat-based | Programmatic | Visual Dashboard |
| **Setup Complexity** | Medium | Low | Medium |
| **Memory Management** | Via chat | Via API calls | Visual CRUD |
| **Semantic Search** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Statistics Dashboard** | Limited | JSON only | Visual charts |
| **Multi-user** | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Mobile Friendly** | N/A | ✓ | ✓ |
| **Real-time Updates** | ✓ | Manual | Manual |
| **Best For** | Claude users | Developers | End users |
## Deployment Methods
### 1. MCP Server (Claude Desktop)
**Use Case**: AI assistant memory via Claude Desktop
**Pros:**
- Native Claude integration
- Conversational interface
- Real-time updates
- No additional UI needed
**Cons:**
- Requires Claude Desktop
- Limited to chat interface
- Local machine only
- CLI-based configuration
**Setup:**
```bash
npm run build-full
mcp-memory install
# Restart Claude Desktop
```
**Best For:**
- Individual Claude users
- AI assistant workflows
- Conversational memory management
---
### 2. REST API Server
**Use Case**: Headless API for custom integrations
**Pros:**
- Simple HTTP interface
- Easy integration
- Language-agnostic
- Lightweight
**Cons:**
- No UI out of the box
- Manual API calls required
- No dashboard
- Command-line only
**Setup:**
```bash
npm run build
npm run api-server
```
**API Endpoints:**
- `POST /api/memories`
- `GET /api/memories?query=search`
- `DELETE /api/memories/:id`
- `GET /api/stats`
**Best For:**
- Custom integrations
- Automation scripts
- Backend services
- Developers
---
### 3. Next.js Web Interface (NEW)
**Use Case**: Full-featured web application for end users
**Pros:**
- Beautiful visual interface
- OAuth authentication
- Dashboard with statistics
- Mobile responsive
- No coding required
**Cons:**
- Requires web server
- Additional dependencies
- OAuth setup needed
- More complex deployment
**Setup:**
```bash
npm run web:install
cd web && npm run dev
# Configure .env.local
```
**Features:**
- Sign in with Google
- Visual dashboard
- Memory management UI
- Semantic search interface
- Real-time statistics
**Best For:**
- End users (non-technical)
- Teams and organizations
- Public-facing deployments
- Multi-user environments
## Architecture Comparison
### MCP Server Architecture
```
Claude Desktop → stdio → MCP Server → MemoryCore → Database
```
**Communication:** stdio (standard input/output)
**Protocol:** JSON-RPC 2.0
**Authentication:** Local machine trust
### REST API Architecture
```
HTTP Client → REST API → MemoryCore → Database
```
**Communication:** HTTP/HTTPS
**Protocol:** REST JSON
**Authentication:** API Key
### Web Interface Architecture
```
Browser → Next.js Server → API Routes → MemoryCore → Database
↓
NextAuth.js
↓
Google OAuth
```
**Communication:** HTTP/HTTPS
**Protocol:** REST JSON + OAuth
**Authentication:** Session-based with Google OAuth
## Security Comparison
| Security Feature | MCP Server | REST API | Web Interface |
|-----------------|-----------|----------|---------------|
| **Authentication** | Local trust | API Key | OAuth 2.0 |
| **User Isolation** | Email-based | User ID | Session-based |
| **Transport** | Local stdio | HTTP(S) | HTTPS |
| **Session Mgmt** | N/A | Stateless | Cookies |
| **CSRF Protection** | N/A | Manual | Built-in |
| **Rate Limiting** | No | Manual | Possible |
| **Multi-factor Auth** | No | No | Google 2FA |
## Performance Comparison
| Metric | MCP Server | REST API | Web Interface |
|--------|-----------|----------|---------------|
| **Latency** | Very Low | Low | Medium |
| **Throughput** | High | High | Medium |
| **Concurrency** | Single user | Multiple | Multiple |
| **Caching** | In-memory | None | Server + Client |
| **Cold Start** | Fast | Fast | Medium |
| **Resource Usage** | Low | Low | Medium |
## Use Case Matrix
| Use Case | Recommended Deployment |
|----------|------------------------|
| Personal AI assistant | MCP Server |
| Claude Desktop user | MCP Server |
| Custom automation | REST API |
| Backend integration | REST API |
| Team collaboration | Web Interface |
| Non-technical users | Web Interface |
| Public deployment | Web Interface |
| Mobile access | Web Interface |
| Developer tools | REST API |
| Production SaaS | Web Interface |
## Deployment Scenarios
### Scenario 1: Individual Developer
**Goal:** Use memory with Claude Desktop for coding
**Recommended:** MCP Server
**Setup:**
```bash
npm run build-full
mcp-memory init
mcp-memory install
```
**Pros:** Direct integration, no extra setup
**Cons:** Local only
---
### Scenario 2: Team of Developers
**Goal:** Shared memory service for development team
**Recommended:** REST API + Custom UI
**Setup:**
```bash
npm run build
npm run api-server
# Deploy on internal server
```
**Pros:** Flexible, easy to integrate
**Cons:** Need to build UI
---
### Scenario 3: SaaS Product
**Goal:** Memory service for end customers
**Recommended:** Web Interface
**Setup:**
```bash
npm run web:build
# Deploy to Vercel/AWS/GCP
```
**Pros:** Full-featured, production-ready
**Cons:** More complex setup
---
### Scenario 4: Hybrid Deployment
**Goal:** Multiple access methods
**Recommended:** All three
**Setup:**
```bash
# MCP Server for local use
mcp-memory install
# REST API for integrations
npm run api-server &
# Web Interface for users
npm run web:start &
```
**Pros:** Maximum flexibility
**Cons:** More maintenance
## Cost Comparison
| Deployment | Infrastructure Cost | Maintenance Cost | Total |
|-----------|---------------------|------------------|-------|
| **MCP Server** | $0 (local) | Low | Low |
| **REST API** | $5-20/mo (VPS) | Low | Low-Medium |
| **Web Interface** | $20-50/mo (Vercel/AWS) | Medium | Medium |
| **Hybrid** | $25-70/mo | High | High |
**Note:** Costs exclude database (Turso) and OpenAI API usage
## Integration Examples
### MCP Server + Claude
```bash
# In Claude Desktop chat:
User: "Remember that John prefers React over Vue"
Claude: [Uses MCP tools to save memory]
✓ Memory saved: "John's preference: React over Vue"
```
### REST API + Python
```python
import requests
response = requests.post('http://localhost:3001/api/memories', json={
'title': 'Meeting Notes',
'content': 'Discussed Q1 roadmap',
'memoryType': 'MEMORY'
}, headers={'Authorization': 'Bearer YOUR_API_KEY'})
print(response.json())
```
### Web Interface + Browser
```
1. Open http://localhost:3000
2. Sign in with Google
3. Click "Create Memory"
4. Fill form and submit
5. View in dashboard
```
## Migration Path
### From MCP Server to Web Interface
1. Export existing data:
```bash
mcp-memory export-vcard -o data.vcf
```
2. Set up web interface:
```bash
npm run web:install
# Configure .env.local
```
3. Import data:
```bash
mcp-memory import-vcard data.vcf
```
4. Access via browser:
```
http://localhost:3000
```
### From REST API to Web Interface
1. Web interface uses same database
2. No migration needed
3. Just deploy web interface
4. Both can run simultaneously
## Scaling Considerations
### MCP Server
- **Scaling:** N/A (single user)
- **Limits:** Local machine resources
- **Best for:** 1 user
### REST API
- **Scaling:** Horizontal (multiple instances)
- **Limits:** Database connections
- **Best for:** <1,000 users
### Web Interface
- **Scaling:** Horizontal + CDN
- **Limits:** Database + OpenAI API
- **Best for:** Unlimited users
## Monitoring & Observability
| Feature | MCP Server | REST API | Web Interface |
|---------|-----------|----------|---------------|
| **Logs** | stderr | stdout | Next.js logs |
| **Metrics** | None | Manual | Built-in |
| **Tracing** | None | Manual | Possible |
| **Alerts** | None | Manual | Possible |
| **Analytics** | None | Manual | Google Analytics |
## Recommendation Matrix
Choose based on your needs:
```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Start Here: What's your primary use case? │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
│
┌───────────┴───────────┐
│ │
Personal Business
│ │
├── Claude user? ├── Technical users?
│ └── YES │ └── YES
│ → MCP Server │ → REST API
│ │
└── Non-technical? └── Non-technical?
→ Web Interface → Web Interface
```
## Quick Start by Deployment Type
### MCP Server
```bash
npm run build-full
mcp-memory install
# Restart Claude Desktop
```
### REST API
```bash
npm run build
npm run api-server
# Access http://localhost:3001
```
### Web Interface
```bash
npm run web:install
cd web && npm run dev
# Access http://localhost:3000
```
## Conclusion
**All three deployment methods are production-ready and fully supported.**
Choose based on:
- **MCP Server**: Best for Claude Desktop users
- **REST API**: Best for developers and integrations
- **Web Interface**: Best for end users and teams
You can also run multiple deployments simultaneously for maximum flexibility!
---
**Version:** 1.3.0
**Last Updated:** 2025-01-15
